Golf training device and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A golf training device has a substantially rigid, sleeve-type member. The substantially rigid, sleeve-type member is configured to be secured over a forefinger of a user&#39;s lower hand and a palm area of the user&#39;s lower hand directly below the forefinger. The substantially rigid member is adapted to limit the user&#39;s ability to bend the forefinger.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. patent application filed May8, 2007 and having Ser. No. 11/800,759 and in the name of the sameinventor. The present application claims the benefit of theaforementioned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to golf training devices andmethod and, more particularly, to a device and method for promotingimproved hand positioning during a golf stroke.

BACKGROUND

Proper shot-making in the sport of golf depends on a variety of factors.One of these is hand positioning on the grip of the golf club. Accordingto one view, a preferred position requires a user to orient the fingersof the lower hand so that the forefinger is slightly extend, with anupper interior portion of the forefinger not in contact with the handle,and with the pad of the thumb of the lower hand more or less squarely incontact with the handle.

It can be difficult to maintain these positions during play. A playermay when swinging the club bring the top of the forefinger into contactwith the handle and/or may shift the pad of the thumb away from squarecontact with the handle. Such shift(s) may cause less than optimumstriking of the ball, with the result being a slicing or hooking of theshot.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method thatovercomes the above.

SUMMARY

A golf training device has a substantially rigid, sleeve-type member.The substantially rigid, sleeve-type member is configured to be securedover a forefinger of a user's lower hand and a palm area of the user'slower hand directly below the forefinger. The substantially rigid memberis adapted to limit the user's ability to bend the forefinger.

A golf training device comprising a substantially rigid, sleeve-typemember configured to be secured over a forefinger of a user's lower handand a palm area of the user's lower hand directly below the forefinger.The substantially rigid, sleeve-type member comprises: an upper section,the upper section being partially semi-circular in shape; and a lowersection, the lower section being a plate member positioned in an areajust below the forefinger where the forefinger and palm intersect.

The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently invarious embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet otherembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golfer's hands in position on a golfgrip, showing the forefinger of the bottom hand in a preferredorientation;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the palm side of a golf training deviceconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 2, taken alongline 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 3, taken alongline 5-5;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the forefinger portion of thedevice of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of a golf training device consistentwith another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 a is a side view of a golf training device consistent withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7 a, takenalong line 8-8;

FIG. 9 is an elevated perspective view of a portion of a golf trainingdevice consistent with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the golf training device of FIG. 9 on a palmof a user; and

FIG. 11 is a front view of the golf training device of FIG. 9 on a palmof a user used with a golf glove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1-6, a golf training device 10 consistent withan embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. In this embodiment,a substantially rigid, sleeve-type member 12 (“member 12”) is providedfor a user's forefinger 15, to be positioned in the interior of aforefinger portion 14 of a golf glove 16. The member 12 is positionedover and extends above and below a knuckle portion of the forefinger 15,and is open at both ends.

As used herein, the word “anterior” refers to the visible surface of theforefinger 15 when a hand is held in a palm forward orientation as shownin FIG. 2, while the term “posterior” refers to the rear (non-visible)surface of the forefinger 15 in this orientation.

The member 12 has a slight forward bend, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6.The member 12 restricts bending of the forefinger about its centralportion. This placement keeps at least the upper anterior portion of theforefinger 15 from contacting the surface of a golf club handle 18, asillustrated in FIG. 1, without placing the forefinger 15 in anabsolutely perpendicular orientation. The member 12 restricts bending ofa user's forefinger 15, in an amount greater than the restrictionprovided by a prior art golf glove. In one embodiment, the member 12 isrigid, so as to prevent a user from bending the forefinger 15 during thestriking of a golf ball (not shown) with golf club 20. The member 12 maybe comprised of rigid rubber, plastic, or other desired material.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5-6, the member 12 may be open along a portionof a length of a posterior portion thereof. Because the posteriorportion does not need to be closed to restrict bending of the forefinger15, provision of an opening along the posterior can provide improvedcomfort and breathability, without sacrificing functionality.Alternatively, it may be desired to provide a member 12 that lacks theposterior opening.

FIG. 1 illustrates a golfer's hands in position on a golf club handle18, with the user having a rigid member 12 inside the golf glove 16. Asshown, an upper portion of the user's forefinger 15 extends away fromthe handle 18, with the rigid member 12 preventing the user fromencircling the handle 18 with the forefinger 15.

In one embodiment, a thumb pad 22 may also be provided. The thumb pad 22may comprise cotton or other pliable and relatively comfortable materialand is adapted to cover an upper surface, pad portion of a thumb 24, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 4. An underside of the thumb pad 22 may be adhereddirectly to a user's thumb 24, using an adhesive surface such as thatprovided on a band aid. Alternatively, the thumb pad 22 may bepositioned in an interior portion of the golf glove 16, so that it willbe in the desired location relative to the thumb 24 when the golf glove16 is worn by the user. The thumb pad 22 is intended to promote properpositioning of the thumb 24 in relation to the handle 18, with the thumbpad 22 being placed squarely in contact with the handle 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, in one embodiment, the rigid member 12 issecured to the interior of the forefinger portion 14 of the golf club16. In one embodiment, the rigid member 12 may be glued or otherwisesecured within a sleeve 17, with the sleeve 17 then being sewn orotherwise secured to the interior of the forefinger portion 14. Inanother embodiment, the rigid member 12 may be directly secured to theforefinger portion 14 by gluing or other means. In another embodiment,the rigid member 12 may be secured to the outside of the forefingerportion 14.

In one embodiment, the rigid member 12 may be provided separate from thegold glove 16. In this embodiment, a user may position the rigid member12 in place, and thereafter position a golf glove 16 thereover.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, another embodiment of the rigid member 12′is shown. In this embodiment, the rigid member 12′ will function in asame or similar manner as described above. In the current embodiment,the rigid member 12′ is formed of a body member 12A. The body member 12Amay have an upper section 30 and a lower section 32. The upper section30 is positioned over and extends approximately a length of theforefinger 15. The lower section 32 is positioned on a palm 34 in anarea just below the forefinger 15 where the forefinger 15 and the palm34 meet.

The body member 12A is formed of an elongated piece of material.Opposite side sections of the upper section 30 may be curved upwards togive the body member 12A a partial semi-circular appearance. The uppersection 30 is shaped to conform to the shape of the forefinger 15. Theupper section 30 is sufficiently rigid, so as to prevent a user frombending the forefinger 15 during the striking of a golf ball (not shown)with golf club 20 (FIG. 1). The body member 12A may be formed of amaterial such as plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, light weight metal suchas aluminum or the like. The listing of the above is given as an exampleand should not be seen in a limiting manner.

In accordance with one embodiment, foam 36 or other suitable materialmay be applied to in interior section of the upper section 30. The foam36 may be used to further restrict movement of the forefinger 15. Thefoam 36 may further be used to provide a more comfortable setting forthe forefinger 15 when the forefinger is positioned in the upper section30.

The lower section 32 extends down from the upper section 30. The lowersection 32 is positioned on a palm 34 in an area just below theforefinger 15 where the forefinger 15 and the palm 34 meet. The lowersection 32 prevents the forefinger 15 from bending and or rotating aboutthe joint where the for forefinger 15 attaches to the carpel bones inthe upper part of the palm. The lower section 32 may be a plate 32A. Theplate 32A is designed to conform to a shape of the area just below theforefinger 15 where the forefinger 15 and the palm 34 meet.

The body member 12A restricts bending of the forefinger 15. Thisplacement keeps at least the anterior portion of the forefinger 15 fromcontacting the surface of a golf club handle 18, as previouslyillustrated in FIG. 1. Further, since the body member 12A restrictsbending of the forefinger 15, certain muscles in the forearm arerestricted in movement. This limits the rotation of the golfer's wrist.By limiting the rotation of the golfer's wrist, one may be able toreduce slicing and hooking of the golf ball.

While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms ofvarious specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognizethat the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced withmodifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.

1. A golf training device comprising: a substantially rigid, sleeve-typemember configured to be secured over a forefinger of a user's lower handand a palm area of the user's lower hand directly below the forefinger;wherein the substantially rigid member is adapted to limit the user'sability to bend the forefinger.
 2. The training device of claim 1,wherein the substantially rigid, sleeve-type member comprises: an uppersection, the upper section being partially semi-circular in shape; and alower section, the lower section being a plate member positioned in anarea just below the forefinger where the forefinger and palm intersect.3. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a foam materialapplied to an interior section of the substantially rigid, sleeve-typemember.
 4. The training device of claim 1 wherein the substantiallyrigid member is comprised of plastic.
 5. The training device of claim 1,further comprising a golf glove and wherein the substantially rigidmember is concealed within a forefinger portion of the golf glove.
 6. Agolf training device comprising, in combination: a substantially rigid,sleeve-type member configured to be secured over a forefinger of auser's lower hand and a palm area of the user's lower hand directlybelow the forefinger; wherein the substantially rigid, sleeve-typemember comprises: an upper section, the upper section being partiallysemi-circular in shape; and a lower section, the lower section being aplate member positioned in an area just below the forefinger where theforefinger and palm intersect.
 7. The training device of claim 6,further comprising a foam material applied to an interior section of thesubstantially rigid, sleeve-type member.
 8. The training device of claim6, wherein the substantially rigid, sleeve-type member is secured to aninterior portion of a golf glove.
 9. The training device of claim 6,wherein the substantially rigid, sleeve-type member is comprised ofrubber.
 10. The training device of claim 6, wherein the substantiallyrigid, sleeve-type member is comprised of plastic.
 11. The trainingdevice of claim 6, further comprising a golf glove and wherein thesubstantially rigid, sleeve-type member is concealed within a forefingerportion of the golf glove.
 12. A golf training device comprising, incombination: a substantially rigid, sleeve-type member configured to besecured over a forefinger of a user's lower hand and a palm area of theuser's lower hand directly below the forefinger; wherein thesubstantially rigid, sleeve-type member comprises: an upper section, theupper section being partially semi-circular in shape; a lower section,the lower section being a plate member positioned in an area just belowthe forefinger where the forefinger and palm intersect; and foammaterial applied to an interior section of the substantially rigid,sleeve-type member.
 13. The training device of claim 12, wherein thesubstantially rigid, sleeve-type member is secured to an interiorportion of a golf glove.
 14. The training device of claim 12, whereinthe substantially rigid, sleeve-type member is comprised of rubber. 15.The training device of claim 12, wherein the substantially rigid,sleeve-type member is comprised of plastic.
 16. The training device ofclaim 12, further comprising a golf glove and wherein the substantiallyrigid, sleeve-type member is concealed within a forefinger portion ofthe golf glove.